A free live online event will be hosted by Gloucestershire Libraries as part of a regional tour to promote diverse voices.

Award-winning poet and author Dean Atta will be reading from his debut novel 'The Black Flamingo' - a story about a black gay teenager reclaiming his identity as a drag artist.

He will also be discussing the book in a live Q&A with the audience at the event on Thursday, June 10, at 6pm.

The event is part of 'Word Online', a free virtual tour of diverse voices in libraries across the South West, which will be making its fifth stop at Gloucestershire Libraries.

The tour's organisers describe the 15 events throughout the region as "showcasing the work of disabled authors, writers from LGBT+ communities and other voices from under-represented groups to broaden shared experience and celebrate the richness of the current literary scene".

Author Dean Atta was named as one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK by the Independent on Sunday. Dean's work often deals with themes of gender, identity, race and growing up and he has appeared on BBC One, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and Channel 4.

The Word Online event is free as long as you reserve your place here  - there is no need to be a library member.

Library copies of Dean's book 'The Black Flamingo' can be found on the library catalogue . To reserve this or any other library book, you do need to be a member and can join for free online.

Details of all the tour dates with more authors across the South West can be found here .

Cllr David Norman, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for libraries, said: "We are delighted to welcome Dean Atta and to be able to offer this free event for teenagers, young adults and anyone interested in attending.

"It is part of our aim to offer a wide range of services to existing and new customers, especially those discovering us through our online services this year. We're pleased to welcome all customers signing up for such events and those visiting our libraries again."